Everyone is eyeing the Royals as the team to beat early, but dominance won't be easy. Becker and St. Michael-Albertville have good size and talented squads, and both will hope to shake up the order.

BECKER BULLDOGS 

Coach: Dwight Lundeen.

2010 record: 9-2.

• The Bulldogs lost four-year starting quarterback Johnny Benson to graduation, but brother Tommy is stepping in. The younger Benson's air game mimics his brother's, and while the junior is unproven, he will be helped by an experienced offensive line with lots of size. Look for tight end Damien Reinke to be one of the biggest targets this year. "We have a lot of good players back and we're optimistic," Lundeen said. 

BIG LAKE HORNETS 

Coach: Dan Johnson. 2010 record: 5-4.

• The Hornets probably will be close to where they were last season, when they finished fourth in the conference. They are big and experienced on both lines, but they don't have a ton of offense. Right tackle Anthony Moss stands 6-4 and is being scouted by several Division I programs.

BUFFALO BISON 

Coach: Gerard Rohl. 2010 record: 4-6.

• With good athleticism and more depth than last year's team, the Bison hope to "restore the order" of 2008-09, when they won the conference championship. Quarterback Jason Senger will lead the offense and likely will find favorite targets in receiver Ethan Freer and running back Colton Haight.

CAMBRIDGE-ISANTI BLUEJACKETS

Coach: Mike Hennen. 2010 record: 5-5.

• Hennen takes the reins of this physical team this season and tries to push it past the .500 mark. The Bluejackets return plenty of offensive and defensive linemen and also bring back the entire backfield, including quarterback Clayton Jennissen. Last year, the games they won were strong victories, while the losses were close, so there could be a three- or four-game swing.

ELK RIVER ELKS

Coach: Steve Hamilton.

2010 record: 0-9.

• First-year coach Steve Hamilton inherits a team that has plenty of seniors but not much of a winning culture. While victories have been rare -- and likely will continue to be this season -- Hamilton said he believes he has the pieces in place to succeed down the road. Lack of depth and athleticism will hurt the Elks.

MONTICELLO MAGIC

Coach: Jason Telecky.

2010 record: 3-6.

• The Magic has some good offensive pieces returning, and those pieces are buoying hope for a winning season in 2011. With three starting running backs returning -- including junior Birk Olson, who carried 53 times for 316 yards and three touchdowns -- look for a solid ground game. Depth could be a concern.

Rogers Royals

Coach: Marc Franz.

2010 record: 12-1.

• The Royals have enough pieces in place to be a solid program again this season. After losing to Totino-Grace in the Class 2A state championship game last year, Rogers returns offensive threats Andrew Smith and Mitch O'Neil while adding some new prospects, including 6-5 QB Matt Weber.

ST. MICHAEL-ALBERTVILLE KNIGHTS 

Coach: Jared Essler. 2010 record: 7-3.

• Coming off a strong season, the Knights could contend again. STMA's offensive and defensive lines both look solid. Bennie Wilson switched to defensive lineman from inside linebacker last year, and the 5-10, 235-pound junior should be a rock wall for defenses to run up against. The Knights need to stay healthy at running back -- where they are thin -- if they want to stay in the race.